May 24, 2019 - World

White House will send 1,500 troops to Middle East amid Iran tensions

Orion Rummler

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan. Photo: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

The White House told Congress on Friday that it plans to send an additional 1,500 troops to the Middle East amid tensions with Iran, Bloomberg reports.

Where it stands: The purpose of deploying additional troops is to "enhance protection of forces already in the region that are dedicated to missile defense, freedom of navigation in Persian Gulf waters and other objectives," according to a Pentagon notice to congressional defense committees obtained by Bloomberg.

Both U.S. and Iranian officials have said they don't want war, but U.S. officials have made repeated but unspecific claims of possible impending Iranian attacks.

Flashback: Yesterday, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan denied reports that the Pentagon was entertaining plans to send as many 10,000 troops.

Go deeper: Why war with Iran is suddenly on the table

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White House will send 1,500 troops to Middle East amid Iran tensions

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